By Carol Tannenhauser
At 3:17 p.m., at the Broadway and West 96th Street subway station, an unidentified woman jumped in front of a southbound 3 train in an apparent suicide, an NYPD spokesperson told WSR. She was taken to Mount Sinai West, where she was pronounced dead. There was no criminality. Some subway lines were rerouted. (Thanks to Ben Orlove for the tip.)
Please, if you are thinking about harming yourself or attempting suicide, reach out to a trusted other or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). “We’re all in this together.”
Platform doors can’t come soon enough! RIP
Do you believe that spending billions of dollars would have prevented her from taking her life in another way – say jumping in front of a bus?
Yes. In fact, studies show that when access to the means to commit suicide is limited, there are fewer suicides. Apparently, attempting to kill oneself is often a rash decision so lack of easy access does work as a preventative. RIP : (
The purpose of platform doors is to keep people from being pushed onto the tracks.
If someone wants to commit suicide via subway those doors will not hinder them.
Platform walls with doors that open only when and where the train doors are located and only when trains are present will absolutely protect against people being pushed, or people jumping in front of or slipping and accidentally falling in front of a train. Such a device was actually patented in the USA in 1918 or there about. Why they were not mandated way back when is regrettable and, frankly, shocking to me. The MTA seems to be on the right “track” now and let’s hope the leadership stays the course to make all of us safer in this way. May the memory of the poor woman who died in this way be for a blessing.
I agree!
Poor woman, and absolutely poor driver of that train 🙁
@NYYgirl,
Thank you for thinking of the train driver. I saw a TV documentary about that. It’s extremely traumatic. Most people would be surprised to learn how frequently it happens.
I AGREE – POOR DRIVER. HE OR SHE HAS TO COPE WITH THIS FOR THE REST OF HIS/HER LIFE. SO SAD IN MANY WAYS.
This is so heartbreaking. RIP.
While I feel awful for the person who believed that their problem(s) had no solution and could not find help or support, there is a second victim the conductor – someone who must live with observing a tragic act of violence that will dim very slowly if at all. Suicide can have many victims. Survivors need attention, care and support. I hope they get it.
To the WSR, thank you for posting the NSPL telephone number. You can also text “HOME” to 741741 to text with a counselor on the Crisis Text Line. There is no shame in asking for help.
When someone contemplates suicide they are often wrestling with a problem that they believe is unsolvable. In most cases their thoughts are lying to them.
Perfectly said. Thank You Michael.
Suicide is of course tragic.
And very misunderstood. The person is usually in such profound (mental and also resulting PHYSICAL) pain, that they just want the pain to STOP. They don’t want to be DEAD necessarily. Excellent documentary “The Bridge” about the handful of survivors from Golden Gate Bridge jumps— interviewed/got help/grateful to be alive. Depression IS a very treatable disease. And often fatal left untreated. The problem is that the depression warps the thinking at a critical, vulnerable point. If you are thinking of suicide, please call help line. And just WAIT 24 hours before you impulsively act.
This is sad. Ipray for conductor and the dead family
Hey, I know the son of this woman…. He would be devastated if he ever found out how his mother actually passed. Can we please have this article taken down….